48 pages 1 hour read

Walter Mosley

Devil In A Blue Dress

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1990

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In 1948 Los Angeles, WWII veteran Ezekiel "Easy" Rawlins, who is Black and recently unemployed, accepts a job from a ruthless white man to find a woman named Daphne Monet. Needing to pay his mortgage, Easy navigates a web of deceit, violence, and racial tension, uncovering secrets about Daphne and getting entangled with corrupt figures, ultimately becoming a private investigator. This book features sexual violence and racial slurs.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Walter Mosley's Devil In A Blue Dress captivates with its vivid depiction of post-WWII Los Angeles and intricate plotting. Critics praise its rich character development and the compelling figure of Easy Rawlins. However, some find the pacing uneven and the conclusion predictable. Overall, it skillfully blends historical fiction and noir, offering a fresh take on the detective genre.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Devil In A Blue Dress?

Readers who enjoy Devil In A Blue Dress by Walter Mosley typically appreciate gripping noir detective stories set in post-WWII America, featuring complex characters and social commentary. Fans of Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep or Chester Himes' A Rage in Harlem will find this novel’s richly detailed narrative and historical context compelling.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Mystery / Crime Fiction

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Historical Fiction

Themes

Identity: Race

Emotions/Behavior: Guilt

Topics

Race / Racism

History: World